USA > Pennsylvania > Historic background and annals of the Swiss and German pioneer settlers of southeastern Pennsylvania, and of their remote ancestors, from the middle of the Dark Ages, down to the time of the Revolutionary War > Part 35
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In the Colonial Records, Volume 3, page 429 and 430, there is set forth a record which gives us a melancholy picture and the fact that human weak- Hess was a factor among other Ger- man Swiss ancestors, then as now.
In fact, it would not be compli- mentary to civilization at all if we could not point to advancement and a rising of the moral plane, as the re- sult of years of effort and culture. We do not believe, that by any means, all of the ancestors of whom we have been speaking, were clean and godly for there are many accounts to the contrary. The item which we are now. about to give, while it shows the weakness of one individual and her sin, on the other hand, shows that the spirit of charity and humanity filled the breasts of her neighbors.
At a meeting of the Council of Pennsylvania, (which corresponds to our Senate and the Governor Cabinet combined today) a report of the Jus- tice of Lancaster County was re- ceived, setting forth, that at the Oyer and Terminer Court, held at Lancas- ter, Margaret Sheets was convicted of concealing the birth and burial of her child. born to her, she being a single woman, and upon being so found she
In addition to this a petition, signed by 63 German neighbors of Margaret Sheets, in which they ask mercy to this woman, was presented. Taking all these facts into consideration, the board decided that this woman should not be hanged; but be given a much littler punishment. The names of the persons petitioning for this mercy are not given.
1732-A German Fore-Father Discov- ers a Gap Nickel Mine.
In Volume 2, of the Pa. Archives, page 311, under the date of 1755, there is a letter from Governor Morris to Thomas Penn in which he states that certain persons concerned in the "Gap Mine," in which Penn is inter- ested, are inclined to go to work on it again. He says, that it may be worked to advantage by the help of a fire engine similar to the one that Schuylers have erected at their mine. He also says, that the vitrol which he is told the mine abounds in should be turned to account. He further goes on to say, that if Thomas Penn is sat- isfied that he, Morris, will buy or lease Penn's whole share.
A note at the bottom of 312 goes on to say, that this mine is near Gap, in Lancaster County, and was first discovered by a German named Ter- sey in or before 1732, and that a grant of land, made by John Penn to Gov- ernor Hamilton an account of a cou- ple springs later discovered, was re- ported to the Philosophical Society of London. I simply quote this item to show that the Germans were on the lookout for ore as well as for rich ground.
249
GERMANS OF EPHRATA-IMMIGRATION OF 1733.
Some time earlier than 1732, in fact | Roots-7 Rushers-5 Reeds-3 Richt- I think about 15 years earlier, there was considerable excitement, as the ancient records show, concerning an "Ore Mine at Conestoga."
1732-The Germans Start the Ephrata Monastic Society.
In Volume 15, of Hazard's Regis- ter, page 161, there is a historical sketch of Ephrata by Mr. M. Fahne- stock. In it he says, that in the year 1732, the solitary life of Ephrata was changed into a Conventical one and Monastic Society was established. The first buildings erected for that purpose were finished in May 1732. The dress of the White Friars was adopted.
The writer goes on to say that this grew out of the Dunker movement which originated in Europe and ex- tended to America in 1719, namely, to Germantown, Skippack, Oley, Con- estoga and elsewhere.
He goes into the account much deeper than these annals contemplate.
Harris in his biographical history of Lancaster County discusses the same solitary life under his sketch of Conrad Beisel.
1733-German Immigration.
The records that we have mentioned above, 3 Col. Records, pp. 515 to 524, show that there were 7 shiploads of these German Swiss immigrants who arrived at the port of Philadelphia, during this year making a total of 444 heads of families or a total list for the year of 1183 persons.
Among the prominent Lancaster County names we find 4 Adams-4 Arndts -- 6 Brocks - 3 Becks - 8 Burkharts-2 Bevers-5 Bergers-6 Burkholders-3 Bowmans-4 Christs -- 5 Eshlemans-19 Freys-6 Fishers 13 Fegleys-10 Fousts-5 Hoffs-8 Hallers-10 Hetricks-3 Hoffmans-7 Isemans-11 Kuhns-7 Kemps -- 8 Mil- lers-7 Moores -2 Mosemans - 11
ers-2 Reinharts-20 Smiths -- 9 Stein- mans-3 Straubs-10 Schaeffers-8 Snavelys-3 Sauders-5 Taylors-8 . Trouts-15 Whitmans.
Besides these there are a large num- ber of other common Lancaster County names of which there are one single representative. It will be ob- served that among these immigrants the greater number are still Swiss. The pure German names have not yet appeared in these ship lists.
1733-More Hardships and Perils on the Ocean.
From the Pa. Gazette, of Mar. 22. 1733, we cull the following item: "We hear from New York, that last week arrived there the Snow, 'Experiment' with about 80 or 90 Palatines. She came from Dover about the middle of October, beat 8 weeks upon the coast and then put away for Bermuda, in which time the master and many of the passengers died. She set out with 180 on board and brought not more than the above 80 or 90 to shore." This vessel is not among those regis- tered as arriving at Philadelphia dur . ing the year; but, we think that the name does appear in earlier or later years. This particular trip of 1733, was to New York.
1733-German Swiss Settlers De- ceived by Maryland.
In Vol. 4, of Colonial Records, page 64, there is a petition set forth, by our German-Swiss under the date of 1736, complaining that 3 or 4 years earlier, they having just newly ar- rived in Pennsylvania and not know- ing the boundary between Pennsyl- vania and Maryland, were deceived into believing that the Susquehanna River was the division and that all lands west of the Susquehanna were Maryland lands. Therefore, they took up lands there and made settlements with the Government of Maryland;
250
OUR EARLY GERMANS CLASH WITH MARYLAND.
but, they found that the usage and | 1733-Oldest German Swiss Cemetery treatment of them was so different in Lancaster County. from the rest of the Government and that the small substance they had was stolen from them. They also state, that they complained, frequently to Maryland authorities but received no redress; except, that they were told that they were worse than negroes for they had no master and were not under the protection of any laws; and they were finally told that the Sus- quehanna River was not the bound- ary. They also state, that they no- ticed people living east of the river, further south than they do, were liv- ing in peace and without any disturb- ance. They also say, that they now see they were imposed upon, to answer some object of the Govern- ment of Maryland; and now, con- scious of the wrong that was done them and wrong they have done to Pennsylvania by living on land and not paying acknowledgement to Penn- sylvania or its laws, they have re- solved to show to Pennsylvania their loyalty and spirit and ask the author- ities that they should not hold against them what they did in ignorance. The Board or Council read the petition --- -- and sent a letter to the Justices and the High Sheriff of Lancaster County, in which they state they are apprized of a warlike proposition in Maryland and that, therefore, the Sheriff of the County should go to the west side of the Susquehanna River and protect our people living there. This shows some additional hardships and perils 1733-Swiss and German Palatine Im" migrants This Year. under which our people suffered in. those early days.
1733-More Petitions for Naturaliza- tion.
In Vol. 3 of the Votes of Assembly, page 197-199, mention is made of the fact that many of the Palatines, are petitioning for naturalization ; and their naturalization was accordingly, taken up.
Soon after our first settlers arrived here, and took up their home in Pequea, in the fall of 1710, cemeter- ies of course, became important. The oldest one, as far as records show, was known anciently as "Tchantz Grave Yard" later as "Musser's Cem- etery" on the west bank of the Pequea Creek just south of Lampeter, being on the Jacob Miller ancient tract or farm of 1008 acres-now being on the farm owned by Mrs. McAllister near Neff's Mill. In that cemetery is the tomb stone yet standing of Jacob Mil- ler, who was one of the first settlers that came in 1710 and who was one of the signers of a letter when in London on June 24, 1710, in which he and others state they "are now about to set sail for America." Right south of his grave and stone are those of his wife, Magdalena and Samuel, likely a son; next north of Jacob Miller's grave is that of Martin My- lin, Jr .; and north of his Hans My- lin; and north of his Barbara Mylin's. These persons all died at a very early age. Martin Mylin in 1732-Barbara Mylin in 1742-Samuel Miller in 1743 -Jacob Miller in 1739-Hanz Mylin in 1733.
Another cemetery, quite likely as ancient as this one, is that of the Herr cemetery, connected with the old brick Mennonite Church just east of Willow Street.
According to Vol. 3 of the Colonial records pages 515-524 there were 8 ship loads of these people who ar- rived at Philadelphia in the year 1733. They constitute 400 heads of families, making a total of 1252, and among the common Lancaster County names are the following: + Adams -- t Arndts-5 Brocks-3 Becks-S Burk-
.
251
GREAT STORMS AT CONESTOGA-HOT WEATHER.
harts-6 Burkholders-5 Burgers-4
Christs-5 Eshlemans-20 Freys-5 Fishers-13 Fegleys-10 Fausts-5 Hoffs-8 Hellars-10 Hetricks-7 Ise- mans-11 Kuhns-7 Kemps-9 Klines -4 Kautz-14 Longs-6 Lutz-8 Mil- -. lers-7 Moores-4 Peters-5 Reeds- 11 Roots-5 Rhodes-3 Richters-23 Smiths-9 Steinmans-3 Straubs-10 Schaeffers-8 Snavelys-3 Sauders-3 Stricklers-9 Shermans-5 Taylors- 1734-Michael Welfare, German of S Conestoga, Preaches in Phila- delphia. Trouts-8 Wises-5 Wagners-7 Whitemans-9 Whitmans and one each of many other common Lancas- ter County names. The ships in which these people came are the "Samuel of London" of which Hugh Percy was master-"Eliza" Edward Lee master- "Hope" David Reed master-"Richard and Elizabeth" Christopher Cline master -- "Mary of Dublin" James Benn master-and the "Charming Bet- ty" John Ball master. All of these came from Rotterdam, except the last one seems to have left from London; inhabitants of Philadelphia and to
and they came by way of Diehl, Dover, Cowes, Plymouth-some of them going one way and some of them another.
1734-Great Suffering in Conestoga from Heat This Summer.
In the Pennsylvania Gazette of July 11, 1734, it is stated, that the weather has been so exceedingly hot for a week that a great number of people have fainted and fallen into convul- sions and died-and. "we also hear, that a great number of harvest peo- ple fainted in the fields and in some places a multitude of birds were found dead. Since the hot summer 7 years ago, such intense heat has not been known in this country."
1734-Great Storm at Conestoga.
thunder and lightning, that can be re- membered in these parts. It blew down several stacks of chimneys, un- covered several houses, some wholly and others in part, and demolished some weak buildings. The wind was so violent that we have heard of it going from Conestoga to the Bay in one-half an hour."
In the Pa. Gazette under Septem- ber 25, 1734, it is stated that "yester- day morning, Michael Welfare one of the Christian philosophers of Con- estoga appeared in full market in Philadelphia, in the habit and dress of a Pilgrim, his hat of linen, his beard full length, and a long staff in his hand. He declared himself sent by Almighty God to denounce ven- gence against the wickedness of the preach speedy repentance. His dis- course continued about one-quarter of an hour and the importance of what he delivered commanded the at- tention of a multitude of people: but when he finished he went away un- molested."
Welfare, later, was one of those who joined the Ephrata community, in the days when they lived in monastaries and withdrew themselves from the world and felt themselves called upon to denounce all manner of worldli- ness everywhere.
1734-Baltzer Hubmier.
We have, at an earlier place in these annals (see pages 22, 25, 28, 29 and 103) referred to Hubmier and his work. We made note of nis name, be- ly met with in our county, and it seems to be related to the ancient Hubmier. At this time, we refer again
In the same paper, under the date cause the name Huffmier is frequent- of September 25, it is stated that "last Sunday, between 7 and S in the even- ing. we had the most terrible gust of wind and rain, accompanied with to him, only in form of a brief note.
252 GERMAN BELIEF IN WITCHCRAFT-ACCOUNT OF HUPMEIER.
A rather extended account may be | being some quantity above stairs, found in the Mennonite Year Book and Almanac, for the year 1914, page 38. This publication was gotten up by Bishop N. B. Grubb of the Mennonite Church in Germantown, and contains a lot of historical matter which re- lates to the German-Swiss people in America and Europe.
Bishop Grubb's article tells of Hubmier's debates with Zwingli and his various arguments made, concern- ing the non-resistant faith. For a time Hubmier believed with Zwingli, yet eventually he differed with him on the subject of infant baptism and was finally firmly established in the belief. that only adult baptism can avail anything. This belief he finally held to through the preachings of Reublin. He also stated, that Hub- mier introduced feet washing, imitat- ing Christ's method. For a long time he was rather uncertain about infant baptism; but eventually he renounced it. He was a thorough scholar and wrote many strong pamphlets. Pro- fessor Wedel, who has written an ex- cellent history of the Mennonites, into the fire had they not been hind- says about Hubmier, that "We may ered." justly place him by the side of Peter Waldo. Bishop Reesner, George Blau- rock, Michael Settler, Hans Denk, Menno Simon and other leaders of our faith."
1734-Belief in Witchcraft Among the Early German-Swiss.
In the American Weekly Mercury, we have, under issue of January 22, 1733-34, the following account:
"The following letter was sent us by an unknown correspondent with a. desire that it might be published just as it is, viz :--
which soon took fire so that in an instant it was past putting out. In the company, there was an old woman who had been spinning there and was helping to get some things out of the fire before they were burnt, and be- thinking herself of some of her own clothes that were above stairs, said hastily, I'll go save my clothes if I lose my life for it. So running up stairs, she threw them out and they were saved; but the fire was so vehement that she could not return but fell upon a bed and was there burnt. It is somewhat surprising, the fire beginning at night, there was such a violent whirl-wind about the place where she lay burning that it raised the flames to such a height that it gave light above a mile. An- other thing added to the surprise of the spectators; there suddenly gath- ered out of the darkness a company of dogs, some thought near 20 about the fire who were so fierce about the place where she lay burning that it was thought they would have leaped
The imputation here is, that the great flame shooting around where this old woman lay burning, was due to the fact that she was a witch. Also the fact that there appeared a pack of about 20 dogs, out of the darkness trying to get where this old woman lay, was also a fact which the witches brought about.
1734 - Swiss and German Palatine Immigration This Year.
According to Vol. 3, of the Colonial Records, pages 568-570, there were two ship loads of these people who arrived at Philadelphia in the year 1734. They constitute 89 heads of
"James Swafort, of Lancaster County, at Octorara, the 29th of De- cember, 1733, had some hands helping families, making a total of 261 per- him dress flax in one end of his sons, and among the common Lan- dwelling house, and by some means caster County names are the follow- the flax or tow took fire, and there ; ing: 2 Freys-2 Housers-6 Hoffmans
253
IMMIGRANTS OF 1734-THRIFTY ANDREW FERREE.
-2 Leshers-2 Millers-3 Meisters-4. Lb. 1-to 22 bags, Lb. 2, Nobles-3 Naumans-3 Reshs-2 Rein- 10s walds-5 Shultz-5 Smiths-3 Shu- To 2 pair chains, 14s, 2 berts -2 Steiners -7 Wagners - 7 Youngs and 2 Zimmermans. And one each of the following: Andes, Al- brecht, Bowman, Cameron, Camel, Carter, Hilderbrand, Johns, MaGee, Richter, Reynold, Ruth, Reinhold, Weber, Yager, and others. The ships in which these people came, are the "St. Andrew" of which John Stedman was Master-and the "Hope" of which Daniel Reid was Master. All of these To a large Byble
came from Rotterdam.
1735-The Large Estate of a Thrifty German-Swiss Ancestor.
In Rupp's history of Lancaster County, p. 103, there is set forth an inventory of the estate of one of our thrifty French-Swiss ancestors, An- drew Ferree, who died that year. The name now is Ferry or Forry, and is quite common among us.
The inventory is as follows:
To wheat in the stack at 8
1b .-- wheat and rye in
the ground at 5 pounds. Lb. 14 0 0 To great wagon, Lb. 12- little wagon Lb. 5 ... ...
17 0 0 To a plow and two pairs of irons
To 2 mauls and 3 iron wedges, 9s --- to four old weeding hoes, 4s. ..
... To a spade and shovel, 8s -- to a matock and 3 dung forks, 10s
To 2 broad axes, 12s-to joyner's axe and adze, 7s To . Sundry carpenter tools, 1 1b .- sundry joy- ner's tools, 2 Lb. 5s. . . To 7 Duch sythes
To 4 stock bands, 2 pair hinges, sundry old iron. To a hand saw, Lb. 2-to 5 sickles and 2 old hooks To a cutting box, 2 knives,
1 10 0
To 2 chests, 15s -to a spinning wheel, 8s. 1 3 0
To sley, 6s-to cash re- ceived of Samuel Taylor 2 8 0
To cash received for a servant girles time. 3 0 0
0 18 0
152 8 6
0 19 0
A hundred pounds was "big money" in those days. But besides this the man owned a fine farm also. One is attracted too by the variety of the articles. Where did he get these
0 14
0 11 0
3 10 0
hackles, Lb. 1 10 -- to 5 beles, 12s 2 16 0 To 4 small chains and other horse geers at .... 1 40 To other horse geers at Lb. 1 10-to a man's saddle at Lb. 1 10 ...... 3 0 0 To 3 felling axes at 10s- two fowling pieces at Lb. 2 2 10 0 2 0 0
To 2 feather beds at Lb. 6-to wearing cloaths,
Lb. 7 13 0 0
To sundry pewter, Lb. s 8 -to a box iron, 4s ..... To sundry wooden ware at 2 12 0 Lb. 1-to two iron pot- racks, Lb. 1. 2 0 0
To sundry iron ware, Lb. 2-to a watering pot 6s 2 60 To 4 working horses, Lb. 24-to a mare and 2 colts, Lb. 11. 0 0 35
To 6 grown cows at Lb. 15-to 10 head of young cattle, Lb. 13 10 28 10 0 To 11 sheep, Lb. 3 17-to swine, Lb. 1 10. 5 7 0
0 13 0
3 5 0
0 12 0
0 wagons and plows and carpenter's tools, etc .? There were certainly very few mechanics here then. He may have brought some of them with him
254
GERMAN-SWISS IN THE BOUNDARY TROUBLES.
and bought some of them in Philadel- phia. We notice that 4 working horses were worth 24 pounds-or 6 pounds per head. He thus had the equivalent or value of 25 horses as his 152 pounds of personal property and that would be equal to $4,000 to- day as horses are worth $150 to $200 a head.
1735 - German Swiss Between Two Mill Stones in Border War.
It is known, that during the first few years after Lancaster County was organized, Maryland made un- reasonable claims against Pennsyl- vania concerning the line. An ac- count of this is set forth in 4 Colonial Records, 63, stating that from Lan- caster County certain information was received, to the effect that, after the Sheriff of the county and some of the people were gathered near the river, the Sheriff and 200 men under officers of Maryland, met just across the Susquehanna with drums and trumpets. Then they went to the house of Jolin Wright, where 300 in- habitants were assembled and de- manded the Dutch who were in the house. The Lancaster County Sheriff asked, why they came in such a hos- tile manner after these Dutch. They appointed a time to discuss the bound- ary matter; but while this was going on, about 5 o'clock Sunday evening, multitudes of Maryland started to show a warlike disposition and they demanded, that these Dutch had come over there and settled on their lands and now they owe obedience to Mary- land. Pennsylvania, of course, claim- ed that they were inhabitants of Pennsylvania.
1735 - German-Swiss Refuse to Pay Penn's Quit-rents.
In the Pa. Gazette of December 30, 1735. "this notice is given, that as the people have not done their duty that |came from Rotterdamn.
they are . now given further notice that the subscribers, that is the Re- ceiver general, is appointed to attend his Office at the town of Lancaster, for County of Lancaster from the. 26th to 31st, of March, for the recov- ering of the arrears of quit-rent due there; at which place persons in arrears of quit rent are requested to pay the same, and if they refuse to pay the same, measures will be pur- sned against them." J. Steel Receiver appointed.
Of course, there were other parts of the State subject to quit-rent, which gave much trouble also; but our Conestoga citizens felt very much aggrieved by being compelled to pay these rents.
1735-Swiss and German Palatine Im- migration This Year.
According to Volume 3 Colonial Records, pages 593 to 607, there are three ship loads of these people, who arrived at Philadelphia, in the year 1735. They consititute $5 heads of families, making a total of 260 per- sons, and among the common Lan- caster County names are the follow- ing: 3 Brunners-8 Buchers-2 Eber- harts -- 4 Freys-2 Hallers-3 Hubers -2 Kellars-2 Millers-2 Meyers-4 Smiths -8 Wises-7 Witmers - 7 Weidmans -3 Wingers - 2 Shellen- bergs. And one head of the following names: Albrecht, Appel, Eberly, Kline, Oswald, Peters, Weber, Sweitz- er, and Schwab, and many other com- mon Lancaster County names. The ships in which these people came, are the "Ship Mercury" of which William Wilson was Master-and the "Brig Mary" of which James Marshall was Master, and the "Billander Oliver" of which Samuel Merchant was Master, from South Carolina. All of these
255
GERMAN-SWISS BEGIN SOLITARY MONASTIC LIFE.
1735 -- The Solitary Germans at Con- their poverty. At times he says the estoga.
In Volume 16 of Hazzard's Register, page 255, we are given one of the original letters of Peter Miller. Peter Miller was one of the early patrons or founders, at least, of the Ephrata community, of which the old cloister buildings are still land marks.
After stating that he published the Chronicon Ephratense, he goes on to say, that in August 1730, he arrived in Philadelphia and at the end of the year, upon order of the Scotch Synod, was ordained in the old Presbyterian meeting house by three eminent min- isters, Tennant, Andrews and Boyd.
He then says, that he visited among the Germans for several years and quitted the ministry and turned his attention to the monastic ideas. In his company he says was a School Master, 3 Elders, one of them Conrad Wiser, 5 families and some single persons, who had raised a fermenta- tion in the Presbyterian Church.
Then he says, that they had sep- arated and incorporated with the con- gregation at Ephrata in May 1735.
He further says, that at that time, the solitary brethren and sisters lived in the wilderness and caves, as her- mits. "And I following in the same way, set up my hermitage in Tulpe- hocken and laid foundations for soli- tary and religious life."
He then says that after about one half a year "a camp was laid out for all solitary persons at the very spot where Ephrata now stands and where then, the President lived with some hermits."
He says, at this time charity had been their chief occupation-that Con- estoga was a great wilderness and began to be settled by poor Germans, who desired assistance in building houses for them, which kept them employed several summers in hard carpenter work and also increased
necessaries of life were wanting. Then to make things worse, a con- stable came into the community and demanded the single man to pay taxes. Some paid and some refused. But the Constable summoned six of these Brethren to prison in Lancaster for 10 days. But a Magistrate set them at liberty. A very venerable old Justice of the Peace, Tobias Hendrick, offered himself for their bail. He said when Court came on, the fear of God came on the gentlemen who were their Judges. When they saw these 6 men before them in the prime of life and reduced to skeletons, the Judge decided that since they were so thin, that the whole lot of them could be taxed as one family. This taxation remained in force for over 50 years; that is, all the brethren of Ephrata community were just taxed as one person.
He says further, that they erected grist mills-one of three sets of stones - paper mill -oil mill - had three wagons, printing office; and then money commenced to come in. They also gave alms to the Indians, Mohawks and others. This is about the substance of this interesting let- ter.
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